Silicone bakeware has become popular in recent years due to its affordability and ease of use due to its nonstick properties. It is an excellent alternative from the metallic wares, which leak and sometimes lead to burning. However, many people don’t understand the best way to clean silicone, so they give the best results. They need special cleaning to ensure that you don’t perforate the material or cause any wear and tear due to dirt buildup. This piece will guide you in what you need to know when cleaning all your silicone bakeware.
Why are my silicone pans not nonstick?
When you first use silicone bakeware, you get excellent results, and your cakes or muffins come out of the pan perfectly. However, after some time this will become less and often you will find that the cakes stick on the surface. This is because the more you use silicone bakeware, the more it develops sticky film that reduces its nonstick qualities.
The sticky layer is usually challenging to remove, but everything you bake in it will not benefit from the nonstick properties until you do so. Therefore, it is best to clean your silicone pans as soon as you use them to avoid dealing with this problem. This cuts the time for the grease to stick on the surface, making it difficult to clean later.
How to clean silicone pans
Once you notice some stickiness on the silicone bakeware you use, it is essential to clean it thoroughly. Unfortunately, this is not an easy process, and you may have to repeat the process severally. However, the following are some of the best ways to clean grease buildup on silicone pans.
Dishwashing soap
Grease-cutting dishwashing soap is the best cleaner for silicone pans, but it is essential to remember that it may not work on the first try. So you need to put in some effort and keep going back to check that the problem is solved. The following are what you will need:
- Dishwashing soap
- Hot water
- Basin
- Sponge
- Rubber gloves
When dealing with silicone pans, heat is an excellent way to get the process started, which is why you need hot water, not lukewarm. It will help in melting the grease from the silicone surface and making it easier to clean.
Start by adding some hot water in a basin and half a cup of grease-cutting dishwashing soap. Mix it well, then dip your silicone pans into the water, ensuring that they are covered fully. Allow them to soak for 30 minutes to one hour.
Pour some dishwashing soap on a sponge and start scrubbing the bakeware. Ensure that the water is still hot and if it has cooled, add some hot water. Don’t forget to wear your gloves while doing this, so you don’t burn yourself.
Scrub each of the pans and rinse in hot water. The best way to ensure that you clean the sticky layer entirely is by feeling the inside with your bare hands. If it is still greasy, add some soap on a sponge and scrub again until you get the desired results, then allow them to air dry.
Clean in the Oven
If you try cleaning using dishwashing soap but still feel the grease, it is best to try and soften it in the oven. First, preheat your oven at 350 degrees for five minutes, then place your silicone bakeware in the oven to bake for five to ten minutes. This helps in softening the grease better than the hot water, so cleaning the pans is easier. Once you do this, you can clean them using hot water and a grease-cutting soap immediately.
How to clean stains from silicone bakeware
You may be successful in cleaning the grease from the silicone pans, but it may need a little more effort if they are discolored. Discoloration develops over time due to not cleaning the bakeware well and in good time.
The easiest way for removing stains from silicone bakeware is using hydrogen peroxide, which has a bleaching agent. You can use it by placing the discolored pans into a basin and adding enough hydrogen peroxide to cover the discolored surfaces. Allow this to soak for no less than 24 hours, rinse using hot water, and it should be ready for use.
Will rubbing alcohol clean silicone?
Rubbing alcohol may clean and sanitize silicone pans, but it may also damage the surface. Therefore, it is better to use other methods since once the surface of the bakeware is damaged, it losses its nonstick properties; hence using it may be difficult.
Does vinegar destroy silicone?
No, vinegar will not destroy silicone; hence it is safe to use on your silicone bakeware. However, white vinegar may cause minor damage to the surface of your bakeware when it sits in it for a while. Therefore, do not allow your silicone pans to soak in vinegar for a long time.
How to grease silicone bakeware after cleaning
One of the best reasons for using silicone bakeware is because it has nonstick properties. For this reason, it is not necessary to grease the pans before using them. This will only lead to getting the sticky layer on the surface which is difficult to clean. Once you thoroughly get rid of the stickiness of the silicone, the bakeware should be ready to use.
Can you boil silicone pans to clean them?
Heat is the best way to soften grease on silicone pans, so it is safe to boil them instead of using hot water only. To use this method, boil some hot water in a large pot and then dip the bakeware. Allow it to simmer for about 10 minutes, remove, then clean using hot water and grease-cutting dishwashing soap.
Will baking soda damage silicone pans?
No, baking soda doesn’t damage silicone pans. You could use it to clean the bakeware if the dishwashing soap wasn’t successful. To clean using baking soda, soak the silicone in hot water to soften the grease and dampen the surface. Then, apply the baking soda generously on the surface and rub it to form a paste. Allow this to sit until it dries completely.
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Rinse the residue in hot and soapy water, then feel that it’s no longer sticky. If it still has some residue, add some baking soda to a damp sponge, then use it to scrub off the grease. Rinse in hot water and repeat if need be.
Cleaning silicone baking pans can be difficult when you don’t know what will work to remove stubborn grease. However, with some patience and the correct cleaning products, you should get rid of any stickiness to restore the nonstick properties. Remember that your silicone pans don’t need greasing before use for the best results.